MILEPOSTS #1011
By Bill Pumford, Image from Russ Keller Collection
TITLE: THE CHALET IN LAKE ARROWHEAD: This week’s image is a photo of the well-known Chalet Restaurant and Lounge in Lake Arrowhead. The Chalet had good food, entertainment and, to a great extent, supported the weekend visitors. The long-term success of the Chalet started with Elmer Luther who was an active businessman in Lake Arrowhead from the 1940s through the 1970s. In 1944 Elmer acquired Carl’s Café from Carl Heinbach and continued to operate the café for a number of years. Then in 1950 Elmer purchased the Chalet Restaurant from Ray Jayette and did extensive remodeling including adding a new lounge. The Chalet was open all year to accommodate summer visitors as well as people enjoying winter sports. Entertainment was a big part of the Chalet experience and featured quartets, singers, organ and piano players, and dancing. Food, as might be expected, was also a big draw with steaks, Bouillabaisse Marseillaise, and Linguini with Clam Sauce on the menu. In 1955 the Chalet sponsored a Women’s Bowling Team which captured the state Class C championship. Members on the team were Jesse Funderburg, Julie Smith, Retha Kane, Betsy Waldron, and Imogene Herring. In 1961 Elmer’s daughter married the mayor-elect of San Bernardino, Donald Mauldin, in a ceremony at Lake Arrowhead. Elmer’s son, Ronald, helped in managing and operating all the businesses. Elmer got involved in a real estate office, a pancake house, and a chicken restaurant, all in the Lake Arrowhead area. In the 1960s San Bernardino offered memberships to the “Double Dining Company” for $5 which allowed you to purchase two meals for the price of one at local restaurants which included the Chalet. Bob Bray, who played the ranger on the TV series Lassie, had a house in the mountains and frequented the Chalet. Since all good things must eventually come to an end, during the “Burn to Learn” exercise in 1979 the Chalet was burned to the ground along with most of the Village.